Entrance Fee
$20.00
/ Entrance - Private Vehicle
Park Hours (Today)
8:30AM - 4:00PM
Capulin Volcano Visitor Center: 8:30AM - 4:30PM
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About the Park
Part of the 8,000 square mile Raton-Clayton Volcanic Field, Capulin Volcano showcases the volcanic geology of northeastern New Mexico. The views are spectacular day or night, with views of 4 different states from the volcanic rim and one of the darkest night skies in the country. Whether it's a quick stop or a day's trip, enjoy exploring the landscape of this unique volcano!
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What to See & Do
View the Night Sky at Capulin Volcano
View the night sky at a volcano! Capulin Volcano National Monument is a International Dark Sky Place, which means thousands of stars are visible in the night sky. On Saturday evenings during the summer, rangers conduct dark sky programs here.
Drive to the Top of Capulin Volcano
Drive to the top of an extinct cinder cone volcano on a historic road. Once at the top you can enjoy the views from the parking area or hike trails down into the crater of the volcano or around the rim of the crater.
Explore the Visitor Center at Capulin Volcano
Learn more about volcanoes and Capulin's eruption by exploring the exhibits in the visitor center.
Hike Trails at the Base of Capulin Volcano
The trails at the base of Capulin Volcano are less traveled and quieter than the ones on the top and offer a different view of the volcanic geology here.
Become a Junior Ranger at Capulin Volcano
Learn about volcanoes, geology, and the history of Capulin Volcano while completing the Junior Ranger Program! Once you've finished the number of activities required for your age, turn the booklet in at the visitor center to earn a Junior Ranger badge or patch.
Self-Guided Tours
Crater Rim Trail
Come take a hike around the rim of Capulin Volcano! With amazing views of the surrounding landscape, this 1 mile (1.6 kilometer) loop trail skirts the rim of the crater at the top of Capulin Volcano and takes you to the tallest point of the mountain at 8182 feet (2494 meters) elevation.
Crater Vent Trail
Take a hike down to the vent that Capulin Volcano erupted from in the center of the crater! This short quarter mile trail descends 100 feet (around 30 meters) in elevation from the parking area at the top of the volcano down into the center of the crater.
Lava Flow Trail
Come hike the Lava Flow Trail, a 1 mile loop at the base of Capulin Volcano! Passing over the third series of lava flows to erupt from Capulin Volcano, this trail offer great views of the volcanoes to the south and east of Capulin Volcano.
Visitor Centers
Capulin Volcano Visitor Center
The Visitor Center is at the base of Capulin Volcano and includes a fee and information station, exhibits, theater for the park film, restrooms, and a park bookstore. Hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Parking & Access
Getting Here
Capulin Volcano National Monument is located in northeast New Mexico. The monument is located 33 miles east of Raton, NM, and 57 miles west of Clayton, NM on NM325 3 miles north of US64. No public transportation systems serve the park.
Official NPS directionsParking Lots
Picnic Area Parking
The Picnic Area Parking Lot is open when Volcano Road is open, which is from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You can access the Lava Flow and Boca Trails from this parking area.
Open in MapsTop of the Volcano Parking
The parking lot at the top of the volcano is open when Volcano Road is open from 8:30am. to 4:00pm. On busy summer weekends, it will fill up and there is a waitlist to go to the top of the volcano. You can access the Crater Vent and Crater Rim trails from this parking lot.
Open in MapsVisitor Center Parking
This parking lot is open all day and night and is the designated Dark Sky Viewing Area. Though it is open at night, no camping is allowed in the parking lot. You can access the Nature, Lava Flow, and Boca Trails from this parking lot.
Open in MapsGetting Here & Transit
How to Get Here
Capulin Volcano National Monument is located in northeast New Mexico. The monument is located 33 miles east of Raton, NM, and 57 miles west of Clayton, NM on NM325 3 miles north of US64. No public transportation systems serve the park.
Park Amenities
Entrance Fees & Passes
Standard Fees
Entrance - Private Vehicle
$20.00Admits private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less) and all occupants to Capulin Volcano National Monument. The maximum size of a vehicle allowed on the Volcano Road is 26 feet in length and/or 8 feet in width. Passes may be upgraded to annual passes within 7 days of purchase.
Entrance - Motorcycle
$15.00Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. Capulin Volcano accepts the America the Beautiful - Federal Lands Passes (Interagency Annual, Senior, and Access passes) in place of an entrance fee. Passes may be upgraded to annual passes within 7 days of purchase.
Entrance - Per Person
$10.00Admits one person arriving on foot or bicycle, or by commercial operator to Capulin Volcano National Monument.
Entrance - Non-commercial Groups
$10.00$10 per person for organized groups such as Scouts, Rotary, Clubs, Youth Groups, Churches, Reunions, etc. that do not qualify for an Academic Fee Waiver. Fees will not exceed the commercial fee for the same-sized vehicle. Youth 15 and under are free. Individuals or families with any valid Annual or Lifetime pass may use their pass for entry at the per person rate. The maximum size of a vehicle allowed on the Volcano Road without a permit is 26 feet in length and/or 8 feet in width.
Entrance - Education/Academic Groups
$0.00Educational waivers will be provided in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations Title 36: if the request is from "organized tours or outings conducted for educational or scientific purposes related to the resources of the area visited by bona fide institutions established for these purposes.
Commercial Entrance - Sedan
$25.00Pass is valid for the day of purchase and the next six days for a vehicle carrying the same group of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. Entry fees of commercial tours are based upon the total capacity of vehicles.
Commercial Entrance - Van
$40.00Pass is valid for the day of purchase and the next six days for a vehicle carrying the same group of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. The entry fees of commercial tours are based upon the total capacity of vehicles
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
$40.00Pass is valid for the day of purchase and the next six days for a vehicle carrying the same group of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. The entry fees of commercial tours are based upon the total capacity of vehicles
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
$100.00Pass is valid for the day of purchase and the next six days for a vehicle carrying the same group of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. The entry fees of commercial tours are based upon the total capacity of vehicles
Annual & Lifetime Passes
Annual Entrance - Park
$35.00The Capulin Volcano Annual Pass has a cost of $35.00 and is valid for 12 months from the month of purchase. Admits one private vehicle and all occupants to Capulin Volcano National Monument. This pass can be purchased at the visitor center. Non-transferable and non-refundable.
Operating Hours
Volcano Road Volcano Top Vehicle Access
Volcano Road Vehicle Access is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pedestrians and Bicycles are allowed on volcano road after 4:30.
- Monday8:30AM - 4:00PM
- Tuesday8:30AM - 4:00PM
- Wednesday8:30AM - 4:00PM
- Thursday8:30AM - 4:00PM
- Friday8:30AM - 4:00PM
- Saturday8:30AM - 4:00PM
- Sunday8:30AM - 4:00PM
Photos
View of cinder cone volcano and the road leading to the top of the volcano as seen from the air.
A shaded bench on the side of a paved nature trail wending through juniper trees and grasses.
Layers of rock are visible in the steep hillside along a road.
View of a cinder cone volcano covered with grasses, small trees, and other plants.
When to Go
Crowd CalendarPlan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
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Best Time
May-September
Trip Length
1 day
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